It was the band's first single to make the UK Top 40, peaking at number 29 and the first Pogues recording to feature Philip Chevron and Terry Woods.

Poguetry in Motion features the songs "London Girl", "Rainy Night in Soho", "The Body of an American" and "Planxty Noel Hill".

The song "Body of an American" was featured prominently on the TV series The Wire during police officer wakes.

[5] A cigarette-smoking MacGowan, appearing quite inebriated, finished the song smoking and drinking while sitting on the drum riser during the extended live instrumental outro.

An alternate version of "Rainy Night in Soho", a slightly longer mix featuring oboe instead of flugelhorn, was included on Canadian and US editions of the EP.